Stalwart Defender

The stalwart defender is a sponsored champion of a cause or a way of life. As the name might imply, this character is a skilled combatant trained in the arts of defense. A line of stalwart defenders is a far better defense than a 10-foot-thick wall of stones, and much more dangerous.

Requirements

Base Attack Bonus: +7

Feats: Dodge, Toughness

Hit Die: d12

Proficiencies: Armor (Light, Medium, Heavy), Shields, Weapons (Simple, Martial) Skill Points: 2 + INT

Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Discipline, Heal, Listen, Intimidate, Knowledge (all), Lore, Parry, Profession, Sense Motive, Spot, Taunt

Level Progression

Lvl	BAB	Saves			Feats	HP range	Damage reduction
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	Defensive Stance	6-12
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+3	Defensive Awareness I	12-24
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3		18-36	3/-
4th	+4	+4	+1	+4		24-48	3/-
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Defensive Awareness II	30-60	3/-
6th	+6	+5	+2	+5	Dwarven Defender Damage Reduction	36-72	6/-
7th	+7	+5	+2	+5		42-84	6/-
8th	+8	+6	+2	+6		48-96	6/-
9th	+9	+6	+3	+6		54-108	6/-
10th	+10	+7	+3	+7	Defensive Awareness III, Challenging Shout	60-120	9/-

Defensive Stance

This ability has unlimited uses a day with a 3 round cooldown between toggling. It applies, +1 AB, +1 damage, +2 saves, AC equal to half the Stalwart Defender class levels +1, and regen equal to the provided AC. Additionally, this ability gains +2 discipline per level and provides immunity to knockdown at level 10. While in Defensive Stance, the Stalwart Defender's movement speed is slowed by 50%.

Challenging Shout

You draw attention to yourself by hurling accusations and jeers at nearby enemies, goading them into attacking you. Enemies in a colossal radius must pass a Will save (DC = Con Modifier + Base Taunt Ranks) (Cap of DC45) or be forced to attack you for six seconds. In addition, you bolster yourself, granting you temporary hit points equal to the DC for the duration of the effect.

Epic Stalwart Defender

The epic Stalwart Defender has become the very definition of immovable object. He is a stalwart warrior that can stand against virtually any foe imaginable.

Hit die: d12

Skill points: 2 + int modifier

Bonus feats: The epic Stalwart Defender gains a bonus feat every four levels. In other words, at levels 14 and 18.

Available Epic bonus feats: armor skin, devastating critical, epic damage reduction, epic energy resistance, epic prowess, epic toughness, epic weapon focus, overwhelming critical, perfect health, two-weapon fighting

Epic Stalwart Defender level progression

Lvl	Feats	HP range	Damage reduction
11th		66-132	9/-
12th		72-144	9/-
13th		78-156	9/-
14th	bonus feat	84-168	12/-
15th		90-180	12/-
16th		96-192	12/-
17th		102-204	12/-
18th	bonus feat	108-216	15/-
19th		114-228	15/-
20th		120-240	15/-

Special

Defensive stance: An additional use per day is gained for every two levels past 9th.

Damage reduction: The damage reduction increases by 3 points for every four levels above 10th.

Notes

• This class replaces the Dwarven Defender class.
• Due to a bug it still requires you to be lawful. A DM can help with this.